Kathleen "Kay" Shoaf

CHESHIRE - Kathleen “Kay” (Egan) Shoaf, 82, formerly of West Hartford, devoted mother, grandmother, and dearest friend, passed away Saturday, August 10, 2019, surrounded by her pride and joy – her children.
Kay was born August 28, 1936, in Hartford, the daughter of the late Patrick and Bridget “Bridie” (Garvey) Egan, both hardworking, industrious Irish immigrants. A 45-year West Hartford resident, for the past 10 years she has lived in Cheshire.
Kathleen grew up in Hartford where she profoundly enjoyed her active time at Hartford High School. Her yearbook wrote about her, “Kathleen’s unselfishness in helping her school and serving her friends is praiseworthy. Quiet and cheerful, this brown-eyed attractive girl has reached the top of success”. Her chosen quote was “In her tongue is the law of kindness” (Proverbs 31:26) which her life embodied. Kay was voted “most likely to succeed” by her classmates, universally loved and popular. As the eldest, she faithfully “mothered” and cheered on her younger siblings playing basketball, one of whom went on to play and coach in the NBA for over 15 years (Johnny Egan). Her love of basketball and sports continued throughout her lifetime; she became a fierce UCONN Men’s basketball fan. “Special K” also loved playing Bingo and going Bowling, however, most adored her time spent with her most lasting legacy: her three precious children and eight beautiful grandchildren. “G-MA K” will be deeply missed by all her loving family and friends and those who knew her.
Kay worked at the Hartford Times, Copaco, and then faithfully served our nation’s military for almost 30 years at the VA Hospital in Newington; first on the switchboard, and then in medical records.
Kay is survived by her son Michael Shoaf and his wife Maria of North Granby; her daughters Patricia (Charanian) Youngquist and her husband Donn of Cheshire; Diane (Shoaf) Guinan and her husband Daniel of Colchester; her grandchildren Amanda (Youngquist) Mills and her husband Eric; Adam Youngquist; Cassia, Chloe and Hannah-Micayla Shoaf; and Danielle, Kara and Kevin Guinan. Kay also leaves behind her loving brothers, John F. Egan of Houston TX and Edward M. Egan of Clearwater, FL., admired cousins, Helen and Patrick Hyland, Eileen Coghlan, and her husband, Donald; fellow matriarchs and faithful friends, Vincenzina “Nonna” Fontana and Sarah “Zia” DiTuccio; in addition to many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements – Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 16, 2019, with the funeral procession leaving the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St. at 10:30 am and proceed to St. Bridget of Sweden Parish – St. Bridget Church, 175 Main St. for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. A graveside service will take place following Mass at 12:45 pm at Fairview Cemetery, 200 Whitman Ave., West Hartford. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening at the funeral home from 5 to 8 pm. For online condolences, please visit www.fordfh.com.